Did you know this may speed up tooth eruption?

Increased maternal stress during pregnancy may accelerate infants’ biological aging, leading to earlier tooth eruption and more teeth by the time a child turns 6 months old, according to a news release dated November 18. Moreover, women with higher salivary stress hormone levels tended to have infants with more erupted teeth, according to the release. “Here we show that a mother’s higher levels of stress-related hormones, particularly of cortisol, during

Redefining what’s possible with universal composites

As dentists, we are forever in the pursuit of clinical excellence and long-term success. We continually seek new trends and different innovations that not only simplify procedures but that also elevate aesthetic outcomes. One of the most exciting areas of dentistry in recent years has been the evolution and development of new techniques, as well as the improvement of restorative materials we use daily. As a private practice general dentist,

Podcast: Pediatric dentistry tips every dentist should know

Dr. Christine Armenian. In this episode of The HuangshanDental.com Podcast, Dr. Christine Armenian, a dentist focused on children and their oral health, shares her insights on creating a welcoming environment for children in dental practices, building trust with parents, and why community outreach is critical in providing access to dental care. She emphasizes the need for education about oral health and the role of teamwork in pediatric dentistry. Armenian also

Clinical tip: If you see it, say it in your dental practice

This week, we continue a series of clinical tips we shot in Las Vegas during Dentsply Sirona World. Dr. Reena Patel of Charlotte, NC, is this week’s featured clinician, and you can learn more about her here. “Over the years, any patient that I have noted a clinical condition on — even if I feel like they may not accept it well or want to hear it — I tend

Fluoridated water may help kids do better in school

Those who drink water with U.S.-recommended levels of fluoride during childhood may perform better on cognitive tests in high school. The large study of U.S. sophomore and senior students was recently published in Science Advances. It is believed to be the first longitudinal, population-based study to investigate the cognitive outcomes of people exposed to recommended levels of fluoride in the U.S., the authors wrote. “We find robust evidence that young

Insomnia may increase the risk of TMD

Dental patients who have been clinically diagnosed with insomnia, a common sleep disorder that can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, may be more likely to develop temporomandibular disorders (TMD), according to a study recently published in BMC Oral Health. Therefore, sleep evaluations may assist in identifying patients who may be at risk for TMD, the authors wrote. “Individuals with insomnia exhibited a consistently higher incidence of TMD

The 5 biggest dental stories you missed before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is often a wonderful time filled with friends, family, food, and football. It’s also a time that many focus on those closest to them and set aside work. Here at HuangshanDental.com, we get that … and we did the same thing. I feasted with my family in Oklahoma before heading off to cover the Greater New York Dental Meeting. However, while we were all enjoying our family time, there

Navigating the difference between modest vs. complex care in dentistry

In this episode of The HuangshanDental.com Podcast, Kevin Henry and Dr. Paul Homoly discuss the critical differences between modest and complex care in dentistry. Dr. Paul Homoly. They explore how technology has changed dental care, making complex procedures more accessible to newer dentists. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding patient needs and tailoring communication strategies to enhance treatment acceptance. Homoly shares his insights on how to differentiate between modest

Early salivary biomarkers may reflect enamel defects

Early changes in children’s saliva biochemistry may be linked to enamel development issues, like hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPM) or molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). This study was recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. Additionally, children with HSPM or MIH may be more likely to have a history of prolonged labor and fever in their first year of life, the authors wrote. “HSPM and MIH are enamel formation defects associated

Asthma inhaler use may cause tooth wear

Children and adolescents with asthma who use inhalers may experience significantly more tooth wear, specifically on buccal and labial surfaces and in permanent teeth. The study was published on November 18 in Scientific Reports. Tooth wear appeared to be associated with dry powder inhalers, higher inhaled corticosteroid doses, and longer treatment durations, the authors wrote. “Dentists should routinely screen asthmatic patients for early signs of tooth wear and consider applying

More than one-third of kids don’t receive oral healthcare

More than one-third of children do not receive dental care, but improving public insurance and simplifying enrollment may help address this, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Furthermore, factors like neighborhood safety and financial and food support may influence oral health care use, the authors wrote. “Policies that expand insurance access and address financial hardship may improve oral health equity by means

Clinical tip: The importance of diagnostic tools in your dental practice

During the recent Dentsply Sirona World meeting in Las Vegas, Dr. Jonathan Ford took a moment out of his busy schedule to discuss the importance of diagnostic tools in the dental practice. Check out his quick clinical tip below. Video transcript “Hi, I’m Dr. Jonathan Ford. I’m a general dentist in Huntington Beach, California, and my quick clinical tip is to work on your diagnostic skills and use every tool